IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden

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Scarlett Philomena Gregory
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1 IRRIGATION METHODS for the Home Vegetable Garden Presented by AFAC Walter Reed Garden Volunteers Catherine Connor, Susanna McIlwaine & David Sachs 2/10/2018

2 Water Management Practices for the Home Vegetable Garden Irrigation Practices at the Walter Reed Garden Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation System with Rain Barrels Role of Ollas as a Sub-Surface Irrigation Method Suggested Resources 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 2

parts Vegetables Need at Least 1 of Water per Week 65 gallons per 100sqft 27 000 gallons

3 Irrigation as a Water Deposit Water supports vital plant functions: Photosynthesis Support / rigidity / turgor Transpiration Transportation of nutrients and sugars to various plant parts Vegetables Need at Least 1 of Water per Week 65 gallons per 100sqft gallons per acre Photo by Francesca York 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 3

4 Manage Irrigation to Supplement Nature and Conserve Water Meet plant needs USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a/b, AHS Plant Heat Zone 6 & 7 (Arlington/Alexandria) Crops have different and changing H 2 O requirements (varieties, growth stage, roots) Soil types affect drainage & available water capacity Consider your garden s situation Micro-climates sun exposure; heat sources; wind patterns Local weather Supplement effective precipitation Gardening Methods in-ground/in rows; raised beds/in blocks; keyhole; containers; slope/terraces/swales; square foot; etc. Other water conservation practices mulches; cover crops/green manure; windbreaks; shade panels; etc. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 4

Growth Stage & Crop Specific Requirements By knowing the critical watering periods for selected vegetables, you can adapt the amount of supplemental water you add.

5 Growth Stage & Crop Specific Requirements By knowing the critical watering periods for selected vegetables, you can adapt the amount of supplemental water you add. In general, water is needed most for: germination of seeds (to 2-4 true leaves), immediately after transplanting, during the first few weeks of development while roots get established, during the development of edible storage organs. Remember that there is such a thing as too much water Critical periods for selected vegetables: Cauliflower: head development Cucumber: flowering, fruit development Eggplant: flowering, fruiting Lettuce: Head development; moisture should be constant Melons: Flowering, fruit development Tomato: Flowering, fruiting Peas: Pod filling 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 5

6 Soil & Water Relationship special-programs/water-managementfor-raised-bed-gardens-revision.pdf 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 6

7 EXTRA SLIDE 1 Reprinted from dripworks.com Soil drainage classification from BSE-194 VT pub 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 7

8 EXTRA SLIDE 2 Typical water extraction pattern in uniform soil profile. Approximately 70 percent of water used by plants is removed from the upper half of the plant root zone. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 8

9 EXTRA SLIDE 3 /assets/pdf/g2189.pdf 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 9

10 EXTRA SLIDE 5 Gardening Methods 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 10

Irrigation Methods for the Home Garden DOs and Don ts Dispense H 2 O at the base of the plants Avoid wetting the foliage Wetting foliage wastes water and can lead to fungal diseases Apply H 2 O

11 Irrigation Methods for the Home Garden DOs and Don ts Dispense H 2 O at the base of the plants Avoid wetting the foliage Wetting foliage wastes water and can lead to fungal diseases Apply H 2 O gently Avoid splashing or splattering Splattering can lead to soil borne diseases and erosion Check and monitor Don t assume everything is fine Use your finger or a moisture meter in several places 1. Watering Can 2. Hose (with some kind of nozzle) 3. Drip systems 4. Sub-Surface Irrigation 5. Sprinklers (overhead watering is not recommended early morning) 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 11

12 Additional Water Conservation Strategies COVER YOUR SOIL! Mulch Cover Crop / green manure Under-sow PROTECT FROM HEAT & WINDS Wind Breaks Shade Cloth 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 12

13 Irrigation at the Walter Reed Garden Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrels as Reservoir + Ollas for Select Crops

Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (1) Uses gravity to move water no pump needed Must select equipment correctly Must elevate reservoir and consider slope of the garden plot

14 Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (1) Uses gravity to move water no pump needed Must select equipment correctly Must elevate reservoir and consider slope of the garden plot Moderately priced and effective for smaller sized crop areas Keep it simple A water reservoir, a structure to support it, piping & shut off valve, drip lines, timer (optional) & filter Screen Washer Built Into Timer When practical, fill the water reservoir with rain water harvesting techniques Keep the reservoir opening covered with mesh material/screen Top the rain barrel with a collar to collect rain water (alternatively fill with city water) 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 14

15 Our drip irrigation is controlled by timers. It is essential to select a timer specifically designed for a no-pressure (gravity fed) system. Toro Rain barrels are holding tanks for rain or city water. Capped with a rain catching collar most of the year. Plastic covers replace collars in summer heat to minimize the growth of algae. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 15

Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (2) Plan based on your unique situation Consider slope, intended crop, cost, level of automation, etc.

16 Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (2) Plan based on your unique situation Consider slope, intended crop, cost, level of automation, etc. Whatever your choices, select equipment designed for low/no pressure ½ main line tubing may be run length or width of the bed to be watered Run the branch lines off the main line ¼ soaker driplines come w/built-in emitters spaced every 6, 9, 12 Basic drip emitters at end of ¼ tubing water individual plants (peppers, zucchini, tomatoes) Secure the lines in place You will need miscellaneous tools 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 16

17 Gravity Fed Drip Irrigation w/rain Barrel Reservoir (3) Keep the filter clean Maintain the system Monitor for and remove algae development in the reservoir Check soil moisture in multiple locations and keep track of water dispensed Troubleshoot problems quickly Check for and fix leaks in the drip system or with the barrel s spigot Check emitters and lines for blockage Winterize the system (drain & store) Do season-start shores Clean the rain barrels thoroughly Check the lines 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 17

Ollas as Sub-Irrigation Method Olla irrigation is the most efficient method for maintaining soil moisture near field capacity and avoiding conditions of saturation or wilting point.

18 Ollas as Sub-Irrigation Method Olla irrigation is the most efficient method for maintaining soil moisture near field capacity and avoiding conditions of saturation or wilting point. Edible garden plants that have optimum soil moisture exert less energy drawing water and nutrients from the soil, grow faster and are less stressed. 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 18

19 Ollas Take Many Forms 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 19

20 Ollas Are Buried in the Soil 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 20

21 Ollas Are Organized to Reach Plants Around Them 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 21

22 Ollas Need To Get Filled on A Regular Basis

23 You can Make an Olla With Terracotta Pots Test your ollas for leaks before planting and replanting each year! 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 23

24 Sub Surface Irrigation Planters (SIP) Not a subject discussed at this event But information available downstairs about DIY double buckets 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 24

25 Swiss Chard & Carrots Visit the Irrigation Ideas table downstairs. Potatoes Peppers Eggplants Bush Beans YOU CAN GROW MANY THINGS IN A FOUR GALLON DOUBLE BUCKET!!! Tomatoes 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 25

26 DOWNLOAD FILES FROM TODAY S AFAC PRESENTATION Or visit the public link: 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 26

References & Handouts Online List of References on Facebook Arlington Garden Exchange https://www.facebook.

27 References & Handouts Online List of References on Facebook Arlington Garden Exchange /ArlingtonGardenExchange/files/ Available Today Ollas DIY (Native Seeds) Water Management for Raised Beds (VSU) Plant Spacing (Kansas State) Rain Barrel Making (Painting Table) and more 2/10/2018 Irrigation Ideas from WRG - AFAC Gardening Kickoff 27

CLASS NOTES ON WATERING YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN

CLASS NOTES ON WATERING YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN Keys To Vegetable Gardening Soil Sun Proper Plant Selection Watering Seasonal Planting PRIMARY FACTORS THAT IMPACT WATER NEEDS Soil (Mix, Ground, Raised Bed,